Carlos Rodríguez-Pascual

Generic and disease-specific quality of life as a predictor of long-term mortality in heart failure

Although the vital prognosis of heart failure (HF) is generally poor, it varies substantially between patients. This study examined whether health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) predicts long‐term mortality in HF. It also evaluated the role of generic and disease‐specific HRQoL questionnaires.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment and hospital mortality among older adults with decompensated heart failure

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to assess whether a simple comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) score predicts hospital mortality among very elderly patients admitted with heart failure (HF). METHODS This is a prospective follow-up of 581 individuals aged ≥75 years admitted for decompensated HF to an acute geriatric unit from October 2006 to September 2009. A CGA score (range, 0-10) was constructed using baseline individual data on 5 domains: dependence in activities of daily living (Katz index), mobility (qualitative mobility scale), cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), comorbidity (Charlson index), and number of prescribed medications. RESULTS Mean age of patients was 85.8 ± 5.8 years, 67% were women, and 75% had preserved ventricular function (ejection fraction >45%). Fifty percent of patients required assistance in ≥1 activities of daily living, 66% had mobility problems, 45% had cognitive impairment, the mean Charlson index was 3.97 ± 3.01, and 36% had >7 medications prescribed. As a result, the mean CGA score was 4.8 ± 2.2. Hospital mortality was 8.2%. In multivariate analysis, variables associated with hospital mortality included New York Heart Association functional class III (odds ratio [OR] 4.1, 95% CI 1.5-10.8), class IV (OR 19.6, 95% CI 6.3-61), pulmonary edema on chest radiography (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-6.6), renal failure (OR 2.8, 95% 1.2-6.2), and the CGA score (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.02-1.4 for each point of increment). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.856 (95% CI 0.790-0.921), and the model classified 93.4% of cases correctly. CONCLUSIONS In our cohort of very old patients with HF, a simple CGA score predicts hospital mortality.

Mechanisms of the association between depressive symptoms and long-term mortality in heart failure.

BACKGROUND The long-term prognostic influence of depression on patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF) is unknown. No previous study has examined systematically the mechanisms of the relationship between depression and mortality in HF. METHODS Prospective study of 433 patients hospitalized for HF-related emergencies in 4 Spanish hospitals. Baseline depressive symptoms were assessed with the 10-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The association between depressive symptoms and mortality was summarized with hazard ratios (HRs) obtained from Cox regression, with sequential adjustment for possible mechanisms of the association. RESULTS Of the 433 study participants, 103 (23.8%) had major depression (GDS-10 > or =5) at baseline. During a mean follow-up of 5.7 years, 305 deaths (70%) occurred. Compared with those who were not depressed, subjects with major depression showed higher mortality (age and sex-adjusted HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.15-2.01). Subsequent adjustment for comorbidity reduced the HR to 1.45 (95% CI 1.10-1.93). Additional adjustment for severity of cardiac lesion and for lifestyles, foremost physical inactivity, led to a HR of 1.27 (95% CI 0.95-1.70). After further adjustment for pharmacologic treatment of HF and particularly for disability in instrumental activities of daily living, the HR dropped almost to the null value (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.82-1.49). CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptoms in patients hospitalized for HF are associated with higher long-term mortality; this association is largely explained by the frequent comorbidity, physical inactivity, and disability of these patients.

Prevalence of Depression and Associated Medical and Psychosocial Factors in Elderly Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure in Spain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES This study provides an estimate of the prevalence of depression, and identifies associated medical and psychosocial factors, in elderly hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) in Spain. METHODS The study included 433 patients aged 65 years or more who underwent emergency admission at four Spanish hospitals between January 2000 and June 2001 and who had a primary or secondary diagnosis of HF. Depression was defined as the presence of three or more symptoms on the 10-item Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS In total, 210 (48.5%) study participants presented with depression: 71 men (37.6%) and 139 women (57.0%). Depression was more common in patients with the following characteristics: NYHA functional class III-IV (adjusted odds ratio or aOR=2.00, 95% confidence interval or 95% CI, 1.23-3.24), poor score on the physical domain of the quality-of-life assessment (aOR=3.14; 95% CI, 1.98-4.99), being dependent for one or two basic activities of daily living (BADLs) (aOR=2.52; 95% CI, 1.41-4.51), being dependent for > or =3 BADLs (aOR=2.47; 95% CI, 1.20-5.07), being limited in at least one instrumental activity of daily living (aOR=2.20: 95% CI, 1.28-3.79), previous hospitalization for HF (aOR=1.71; 95% CI, 1.93-5.45), spending more than 2 hours/day alone at home (aOR=3.24; 95% CI, 1.93-5.45), and being dissatisfied with their primary care physician (aOR=1.90; 95% CI, 1.14-3.17). CONCLUSIONS Depression is very common in elderly hospitalized patients with HF and is associated with several medical and psychosocial factors. The high prevalence of depression, the poorer prognosis for HF in patients with depressive symptoms, and the existence of simple diagnostic tools and effective treatment argue in favor of systematic screening for depression in these patients.

Prevalencia de depresión, y factores biomédicos y psicosociales asociados, en ancianos hospitalizados con insuficiencia cardiaca en España

Introduccion y objetivos En este trabajo se estima la prevalencia de depresion y se identifican los factores biomedicos y psicosociales asociados en ancianos hospitalizados con insuficiencia cardiaca en Espana. Metodos Se estudio a 433 pacientes ≥ 65 anos ingresados de urgencia en 4 hospitales espanoles desde enero de 2000 hasta junio de 2001, con diagnostico principal o secundario de insuficiencia cardiaca. Se considero que habia depresion ante la presencia de 3 sintomas en la Escala de Depresion Geriatrica de 10 items. Resultados Del total de pacientes estudiados, 210 (48,5%) presentaron depresion. Las cifras correspondientes fueron 71 (37,6%) en varones y 139 (57,0%) en mujeres. La depresion fue mas frecuente en los pacientes con las siguientes caracteristicas: grado funcional III-IV de la NYHA (odds ratio ajustada [ORa] = 2,00; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,23-3,24); peor puntuacion en los aspectos fisicos de la calidad vida (ORa = 3,14; IC del 95%,1,98-4,99); dependencia en 1 o 2 actividades basicas de la vida diaria (ABVD) (ORa = 2,52; IC del 95%, 1,41-4,51); dependencia en 3 o mas ABVD (ORa = 2,47; IC del 95%, 1,20-5,07); limitacion en alguna actividad instrumental de la vida diaria (ORa = 2,20; IC del 95%, 1,28-3,79); hospitalizacion previa por insuficiencia cardiaca (ORa = 1,71; IC del 95%, 1,93-5,45); estaban solos en casa mas de 2 h al dia (ORa = 3,24; IC del 95%, 1,93-5,45); menor satisfaccion con el medico de atencion primaria (ORa = 1,90; IC del 95%, 1,14-3,17). Conclusiones La depresion es muy frecuente en los ancianos hospitalizados con insuficiencia cardiaca, y se asocia con varios factores biomedicos y psicosociales. Esta elevada frecuencia, el peor pronostico de la insuficiencia cardiaca en presencia de sintomas depresivos y la existencia de instrumentos diagnosticos sencillos y un tratamiento eficaz apoyan el cribado sistematico de la depression en estos pacientes.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and 2-Year Mortality in Elderly Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure

Background—In older adults hospitalized for heart failure, a poor score on a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is associated with worse prognosis during hospitalization and at 1 month after discharge. However, the association between the CGA score and long-term mortality is uncertain. Methods and Results—This is a prospective study of 487 patients aged ≥75 years admitted for decompensated heart failure. At discharge, a CGA score (range, 0–10) was calculated based on limitation in activities of daily living, mobility limitation, comorbidity, cognitive decline, and previous medication use. The analysis of the association between the CGA score and 2-year subsequent mortality was performed with Cox regression and adjusted for the main confounders. A 1-point increase in the CGA score was associated with a 19% higher mortality (hazard ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.27). Results were similar regardless of age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the coexistence of atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, or hypertensive cardiopathy. All components of the CGA score showed a consistent association with higher death risk: the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of mortality was 1.78 (1.25–2.54) with ≥3 versus 0 limitations in activities of daily living, 1.36 (1.0–1.86) with moderate or severe versus no or mild limitation in mobility, 1.98 (1.29–3.03) with a ≥5 versus ⩽1 score on the Charlson index, 2.48 (1.84–3.34) with previous cognitive decline, and 1.77 (0.99–3.18) in those using ≥8 versus ⩽3 medications. Conclusions—The score on a simple CGA is associated with long-term mortality in older patients hospitalized for heart failure.

Housing conditions and mortality in older patients hospitalized for heart failure

BACKGROUND Although decent housing is recognized as a prerequisite for good health, very few studies in developed countries have examined the influence of housing characteristics on disease prognosis. This work examined whether housing conditions predict mortality in older adults with heart failure (HF). METHODS This is a cohort study comprising 433 patients hospitalized for HF-related emergencies in 4 Spanish hospitals between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2001. At baseline, patients reported whether their homes lacked an elevator (in an apartment building), hot water, heating, an indoor bathroom, a bathtub or shower, individual bedroom, automatic washing machine, and telephone and whether they frequently felt cold. Analyses included all-cause deaths identified prospectively until January 1, 2005. RESULTS Among study participants, 165 (38.1%) lived in a home without one of the services considered; and 111 (25.6%) lacked ≥2 services. During follow-up, 260 deaths (60%) occurred. After adjustment for the main confounders, mortality was higher in those who lived in homes without an elevator (hazard ratio [HR] 1.39, 95% CI 1.07-1.80) and in those who frequently felt cold (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.92). In comparison with living in a home with all the services considered, mortality was higher for persons living in a home lacking 1 service (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10-1.93) or ≥2 services (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.37-2.74). Patients living in homes lacking any of the services more often had poor functional status, higher comorbidity, lower educational level, and less income. CONCLUSION Poor housing conditions are associated with higher mortality in HF. Patients living in these homes are especially vulnerable because they have poorer clinical situation and lower socioeconomic position.

Quality of life, characteristics and metabolic control in diabetic geriatric patients

OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics, metabolic control and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) geriatric patients. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive study of consecutive patients attended at a geriatric outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital over three months. Sociodemographic, geriatric assessment variables, HRQL (using the EuroQol instrument) and comorbidity (Charlson and CIRS-G indexes) were measured. The presence of macrovascular and microvascular complications and cardiovascular risk factors were investigated. To assess the degree of metabolic control, the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) criteria were followed with patients under 80 years old being considered as young elderly and disability as dependence on more than 2 ADLs or need of aid in ambulation. RESULTS We included 112 patients with an average age of 81.4±5.7 years, a Charlson comorbidity index of 4.3±1.57 and a CIRS-G index of 9.7±3. Seventy four per cent of patients were dependent on none or only one ADL, 38.5% presented cognitive impairment and 40% depression. Appropriate control of basal glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin was seen in 43.2% of the patients. HRQL indicated a high frequency of involvement with a significant relationship with functional dependence, cognitive impairment, and depression but not with metabolic control. CONCLUSIONS Geriatric patients with T2DM treated on an outpatient basis have a heavy load of comorbidity and an insufficient level of metabolic control even when individually adapted to age and functional state. HRQL is greatly impaired and related to their functional, cognitive and affective derangements.

Prognosis of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis After the Decision to Perform an Intervention

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Current therapeutic options for severe aortic stenosis (AS) include transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Our aim was to describe the prognosis of patients with severe AS after the decision to perform an intervention, to study the variables influencing their prognosis, and to describe the determinants of waiting time > 2 months. METHODS Subanalysis of the IDEAS (Influence of the Severe Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis) registry in patients indicated for TAVI or SAVR. RESULTS Of 726 patients with severe AS diagnosed in January 2014, the decision to perform an intervention was made in 300, who were included in the present study. The mean age was 74.0 ± 9.7 years. A total of 258 (86.0%) underwent an intervention: 59 TAVI and 199 SAVR. At the end of the year, 42 patients (14.0%) with an indication for an intervention did not receive it, either because they remained on the waiting list (34 patients) or died while waiting for the procedure (8 patients). Of the patients who died while on the waiting list, half did so in the first 100 days. The mean waiting time was 2.9 ± 1.6 for TAVI and 3.5 ± 0.2 months for SAVR (P = .03). The independent predictors of mortality were male sex (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.1-6.0), moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.5-4.5), reduced mobility (HR, 4.6; 95%CI, 1.7-12.6), and nonintervention (HR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.02-5.03). CONCLUSIONS Patients with severe aortic stenosis awaiting therapeutic procedures have a high mortality risk. Some clinical indicators predict a worse prognosis and suggest the need for early intervention.